1 A2 neutral
To move around by rolling in different directions, without a specific destination.
"The puppies were rolling about on the lawn, playing with each other."
roll about
A2 neutral intransitive
To roll or move in various directions without a fixed course, or to laugh uncontrollably.
In plain English
To move around by rolling, or to laugh so hard you can't stay still.
What does "roll about" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To laugh so hard that you cannot stay still, often rolling or writhing with laughter.
"His impression of the teacher had the whole class rolling about in the aisles."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To roll in various directions around an area — fairly transparent.
Actually means
To move around by rolling, or to laugh so hard you can't stay still.
Usage tip
Primarily British English. The laughter sense ('rolling about laughing') is very common in British speech. The physical sense is often used for animals, children, or round objects moving without direction.
Words that pair with "roll about"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
floor ground laughter laughing bed grass
How to conjugate "roll about"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
roll about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
rolls about
he/she/it
Past simple
rolled about
yesterday
Past participle
rolled about
have + pp
-ing form
rolling about
continuous
Hear "roll about" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "roll about" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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